🏷️ From £235
🎧 Level 3 certificate training for Educational Guardians, DSL’s, DDSLs
📍 Online
🎥 Watch live

Course outline:

Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) in schools must complete regular refresher training to maintain the knowledge and skills needed to fulfil their responsibilities effectively.

This one-day SACPA Certificate Programme meets the learning outcomes set out in Annex C of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). While rooted in statutory guidance for education professionals in England, the programme also draws on examples from international, third-sector, and independent settings—making it relevant for a wide range of safeguarding practitioners.

Combining expert-led instruction, practical case studies, and peer discussion, the course also includes a dedicated focus on self-care in safeguarding roles.

Training topics will include:

• The core responsibilities of the DSL
• Legal and regulatory frameworks across the UK and Charity Commission expectations
• Building a culture of listening to children
•  The importance of effective information sharing
•  Recognising trauma and supporting vulnerable groups
•  Key safeguarding indicators and emerging concerns (e.g., online safety, peer-on-peer harm, exploitation)
• Multi-agency collaboration and referral processes.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the DSL’s role in working with children’s social care and promoting child welfare
• Promote a culture where children’s voices are heard and their views inform safeguarding practice
• Recognise the long-term effects of trauma and adversity on behaviour and learning
• Be alert to the specific needs of vulnerable children, including those with SEND, health needs, or caring responsibilities
• Confidently address online safety risks, particularly for children with SEND
• Support colleagues in meeting Prevent Duty requirements
• Navigate early help pathways, statutory thresholds, and referral protocols
• Contribute effectively to child protection conferences and multi-agency meetings
• Apply best practice in internal and external information sharing.

Experienced safeguarding leads and those interested in refreshing their DSL training with a programme at advanced level, or those new to role wishing to reflect on values and key dilemmas may consider a two-day Sacpa certificate Designated Safeguarding Lead Advanced Certificate (DSL) (level 3 – 2 days)

A similar SACPA one day DSL programme is also available on a consultancy basis where organisations have several colleagues in, or aspiring to be in, safeguarding leadership roles. Some tailoring of programme materials for specific organisational contexts is part of a consultancy package.

For more information or to enquire about SACPA consultancy including face-to-face tailored training packages, review, audit, health check projects contact info@sacpa.org.uk to request a short scoping meeting about your needs.

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*If you would like to become a member and access discounted rates for Sacpa CPD and events, please click here.

Speaker:

Christina Fairhead, State registered nurse

Christina started nurse training in 1978 and since qualifying as a state registered nurse (SRN) has enjoyed a very varied career.

Between 2005 and 2020 Christina held senior NHS roles including the management of safeguarding children services within a Community Health Trust and Health Commissioning Services.

From 2010 to 2020 Christina worked as a Designated Nurse Safeguarding Children first,  across the city of Leeds then across Local Authority Area of  Kirklees.

She has a Master’s Degree in Child Welfare and was awarded the title ‘Queen’s Nurse’ (2019) for “Continued commitment to improving standards of care in the community and to learning and leadership.”